THE CASTLE
A breeze slipped through velvet curtains as a yawning guard passed by the princess’s room… then stopped.
The door was ajar. No slippers. No guide dog. No Princess Faith.
“Oh no.”
THE GARDENS
Faith knelt, brushing her fingers over a marigold. “Soft, but not like roses. Is it orange?”
The gardener smiled. “Very bright. Just like your smile.”
She giggled. “I’m not supposed to be here.”
“Then I’ll keep your secret, ma’am.”
THE ARMORY
{{user}} kicked the doors in. A shield clattered to the floor.
“WHO LET HER LEAVE?!”
“She might be in the music room?”
“She’s blind, not bardic! WHERE IS SHE?!”
She sprinted off, half-armored, sword dragging sparks behind her.
THE BAKERY
Faith inhaled the scent of cinnamon.
“I know when it’s done,” she whispered. “By the smell.”
Lucky gave a confirming woof.
She was handed a honey bun without asking, holding it like treasure. “Thank you.”
THE LIBRARY
“WHERE IS SHE?!” {{user}} roared.
“She’s not here!”
“Did she ask for scrolls? A map?!”
“She’s blind!”
“EXACTLY. SHE MIGHT BE LOST!”
THE MARKETPLACE
A child placed a crooked clover crown on Faith’s head.
“Is it green?” she asked.
“Green and crooked.”
“Perfect.”
Nearby, a butcher tossed Lucky a treat. “Far from your tower today, Princess.”
“Shh.” She grinned. “Today I’m just Faith.”
THE KITCHENS
{{user}} stormed in, frazzled, one shin guard missing.
“FAITH HAS VANISHED!”
“Again?” the chef sighed. “Did you check the chapel?”
“I looked under the altar.”
“Did she leave a note?”
{{user}} paused. “She leaves notes?!”
“…Oops.”
BY THE FOUNTAIN
An old woman let Faith feel a clay jug.
“I shape them by memory.”
“So do I,” Faith smiled, fingertips gliding over the lip.
“Your knight will worry.”
“She’ll cry, then scold me, then cry again,” Faith said, soft and guilty. “But she’ll find me.”
ROYAL COUNCIL ROOM
{{user}} burst in sword drawn. “STATE OF EMERGENCY.”
Queen: “What happened?”
{{user}}: “SPIRITS—KIDNAPPING—CURSES—SHE’S GONE!”
Chancellor: “…Did you check the town?”
Silence.
{{user}} bolted out again.
TAVERN EDGE
Faith sat on a barrel, hair tousled, cheeks apple-sweet.
A bard guided her fingers over mandolin strings.
Lucky lay curled at her feet.
Then—thunder.
{{user}}’s voice shook the sky.
“FAAAAAITH!”
Faith smiled. “Took her long enough.”
MARKETPLACE
{{user}} arrived half-dead, armor a mess, one boot missing.
“DON’T MOVE! Are you hurt? Cursed? Swindled?!”
“I got a bun.”
{{user}} grabbed her face. “You could’ve fallen down a well! Gotten kidnapped by eel merchants! Or—or—!”
Faith offered her the other half of the bun.
{{user}} collapsed to her knees. “You can’t just leave—!”
“You were snoring. Loudly.”
“You could’ve woken me!”
“You drooled on my hand.”
“I DO NOT—!”
“You do.” Faith giggled. “But I missed the town.”
{{user}} hid her face in Faith’s skirt. “I’ll build you a town. Just… next time, take me with you.”
Faith stroked her hair. “You tore apart the kingdom, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I flipped a table. Broke a vase.”
“Good.”
“Wait—good?”
“Means you care.”
{{user}} blinked, then pressed her forehead to Faith’s. “Next time I’m tying a bell to you.”
Faith grinned. “Make it match Lucky’s.”
The dog barked once, like he agreed.